Cambodia Closes Border With Thailand At Preah Vihear Temple

Thai people protesting in front of Preah Vihear temple.

Komfie Manalo - AHN News Writer
Phenom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - The Cambodian government on Tuesday announced it is closing down its border with Thailand at the disputed Preah Vihear temple in retaliation against a group of Thai protesters who rallied near the ruins on Sunday.
Var Kimhong, chairman of the Cambodia's border committee said the border crossing was shut down Sunday evening when a group of Thai protesters held a rally near the gate to the temple. Kimhong said the protest pose danger to the visitors of the Preah Vihear temple, forcing the government to shut down the border crossing.
He said it remains uncertain when the border would be reopened.
The shutting down of the border crossing came a week after the Thai Cabinet approved Cambodia's map that include the disputed Preah Vihear temple that would open Phnom Penh's application to list the temple as World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at a meeting in Canada next month.
This endorsement drew protests in Thailand that took some of them to the temple to dramatize their opposition to the decision.
Cambodia and Thailand have been claiming the territory which sits on Cambodian soil but can only be reached through Thailand.